Netflix's highly-anticipated conclusion to the Stranger Things saga has suffered a swift blow in the United Kingdom, losing its number one chart position just days after its New Year's Day release.
A Short-Lived Reign at the Top
The two-hour finale, which debuted on Thursday, 1st January 2026, saw Millie Bobby Brown's Eleven and Finn Wolfhard's Mike Wheeler lead the fight against Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) in a last stand to save Hawkins. It quickly shot to the summit of Netflix's top 10 TV chart as millions tuned in for the decade-long story's climax.
However, its reign was brief. Less than three days later, the show was knocked from the top spot across the UK. The honour now belongs to the brand new Harlan Coben adaptation, Run Away, starring James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver, and Ruth Jones.
The New Chart Champion: Run Away
Based on Coben's 2019 novel, the eight-part thriller follows Nesbitt as Simon, a grieving father whose missing daughter suddenly reappears, only to be under the influence of a dangerous boyfriend. When Simon realises she does not want to be found, he enlists private investigator Elena Ravenscroft (Ruth Jones). The plot thickens when the boyfriend is found dead, making Simon the prime suspect in a murder investigation.
The series has clearly resonated with UK viewers, prompting strong reactions on social media and review platforms. One fan on Rotten Tomatoes noted it was the first Coben adaptation they "actually liked watching," while another on X (formerly Twitter) raved about bingeing it in under 24 hours, calling it a great start to the year.
Divergent Fortunes Across the Atlantic
While Stranger Things has been displaced in Britain, it continues to hold the number one position on Netflix's TV charts in the United States. Nonetheless, the rapid ascent of Run Away in the UK market highlights the fierce competition for viewer attention in the streaming landscape.
Both Stranger Things and Run Away are available to stream globally on Netflix. For UK viewers, Sky is currently offering a free Netflix subscription with its Sky Stream bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan, allowing access to both hit shows.
